Kasuto to appeal court order
The former leader of the workers’ federation is reportedly fuelling a ‘low-intensity conflict’.
The deposed president of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), Ismael Kasuto, is appealing a ruling by High Court judge Boas Usiku to bar him from all offices and activities of the workers' federation.
Kasuto filed his notice of appeal with the Supreme Court on 27 October, a day after the High Court interdicted him from acting on behalf of the NUNW and from conducting himself as the president of the federation.
He is also barred from attending any meeting in the name of the NUNW and is not allowed to enter the premises of the NUNW offices in Katutura.
The High Court application was filed by NUNW secretary-general Job Muniaro and the general secretary of the Namibia National Teachers' Union (Nantu), Basilius Haingura. Days before the High Court order, the NUNW had distanced itself from any statements issued by Kasuto and said the federation was deeply perturbed by “malicious, acrimonious and disrespectful listing and publishing of names of its affiliate industrial union leaders to safeguard” Kasuto “and his links in furtherance of low intensity conflict” within the NUNW family.
Muniaro said there should not be any reason why Swapo secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba should be conflicted over the NUNW list of representatives to the Swapo central committee or the upcoming elective congress.
He appealed on behalf of the NUNW “not to be confused by the list or any communications” by Kasuto whatsoever, “nor to confuse such communications” by Kasuto “with legitimate decisions taken and communicated by the NUNW”.
The general secretary of Namibia Public Workers' Union (Napwu), Petrus Nevonga, was evicted from the Swapo CC meeting held on 15 October where nominations for the top four positions in the ruling party were made.
According to Mbumba, Nevonga was disallowed from taking part in that meeting because Kasuto, in his capacity as NUNW president, was delegated as representative of the federation.
Kasuto was, however, already removed, albeit under contentious circumstances, in August, in a bitter battle for control over the NUNW and manoeuvrings surrounding the representation to the ruling party's congress where, among others, the new party president is to be elected.
CATHERINE SASMAN
Kasuto filed his notice of appeal with the Supreme Court on 27 October, a day after the High Court interdicted him from acting on behalf of the NUNW and from conducting himself as the president of the federation.
He is also barred from attending any meeting in the name of the NUNW and is not allowed to enter the premises of the NUNW offices in Katutura.
The High Court application was filed by NUNW secretary-general Job Muniaro and the general secretary of the Namibia National Teachers' Union (Nantu), Basilius Haingura. Days before the High Court order, the NUNW had distanced itself from any statements issued by Kasuto and said the federation was deeply perturbed by “malicious, acrimonious and disrespectful listing and publishing of names of its affiliate industrial union leaders to safeguard” Kasuto “and his links in furtherance of low intensity conflict” within the NUNW family.
Muniaro said there should not be any reason why Swapo secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba should be conflicted over the NUNW list of representatives to the Swapo central committee or the upcoming elective congress.
He appealed on behalf of the NUNW “not to be confused by the list or any communications” by Kasuto whatsoever, “nor to confuse such communications” by Kasuto “with legitimate decisions taken and communicated by the NUNW”.
The general secretary of Namibia Public Workers' Union (Napwu), Petrus Nevonga, was evicted from the Swapo CC meeting held on 15 October where nominations for the top four positions in the ruling party were made.
According to Mbumba, Nevonga was disallowed from taking part in that meeting because Kasuto, in his capacity as NUNW president, was delegated as representative of the federation.
Kasuto was, however, already removed, albeit under contentious circumstances, in August, in a bitter battle for control over the NUNW and manoeuvrings surrounding the representation to the ruling party's congress where, among others, the new party president is to be elected.
CATHERINE SASMAN
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article